An apparatus, system and method for wrapping a tarp around a load. The system generally includes a cart that attaches to a tarp, a rigid pole placed within the tarp connecting the cart to the tarp. Typically, a powered winch includes a strap wrapped around it and the strap is connected to the cart. The winch can be connected to the cart, or to the frame of the trailer. In operation, the powered winch is energized thereby winding the strap around the winch spool, thereby drawing the cart to the trailer load and up one side of the trailer load, across the top and down the other side at which time the tarp is fully placed around the load. Multiple overlapping wheels are connected to the cart. Once the load is covered, the system can be disconnected and stored.
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1. A load wrapping system, comprising:
a tarp; an elongated pole located in an elongated pocket on a leading edge of the tarp; a cart having a winch system and a frame having hooks adapted to connect to the pole; a strap having one end connected to the winch and the other end including a connector adapted to connect to a load surface.
6. A load wrapping system, comprising:
a tarp; an elongated pole located within an elongated pocket on a leading edge of the tarp; a cart including a frame having hooks adapted to connect to the pole; a winch system connected to a side of a loading surface; and a strap having one end connected to the winch system and the other end connected to the cart.
10. A load wrapping system, comprising:
a tarp; an elongate pole located within an elongated pocket on a leading edge of the tarp; a winch system connected to a side of a loading surface; a cart including a frame having a guide plate adjacent the winch system, the strap being adapted to fit through a slit on the guide plate; and a strap having one end connected to the winch system and the other end connected to the cart.
9. A load wrapping system, comprising:
a tarp; an elongated pole located within an elongated pocket on a leading edge of the tarp; a cart including a frame having a set of rear wheels having a diameter and a separated by a first distance and a set of front wheels having a diameter and separated by a second distance; a winch system connected to a side of a loading surface; and a strap having one end connected to the winch system and the other end connected to the cart.
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Priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 60/377,422, filed on May 3, 2002, now abandoned and entitled "System For Wrapping Loads With A Tarp" is claimed.
I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of tarps and loads wrapped with tarps, and more particularly to an apparatus, system and method for wrapping loads with a tarp.
II. Description of the Related Art
When loads and cargo are transferred on flatbed trailers, often times a tarp is needed to cover the cargo to protect it from weather. The driver of the truck hauling the cargo is typically responsible for getting on top of the cargo and draping the tarp over the cargo. The tarp often must be dragged over the load, typically from side to side, which involves the driver having to position himself on top of the load and pulling the tarp over the load. The tarp can then be secured to the frame of the trailer.
In general the invention features a system for wrapping a tarp around a load or cargo, especially a load on a flatbed trailer. The system includes a cart that attaches to a tarp, wherein a rigid pole is placed within the leading edge of the tarp and the cart is attached to the midpoint of the tarp and integral with the fixed pole. In a typical embodiment, a powered winch includes a strap wrapped around it and the strap is connected to the cart. The winch can be connected to the cart, or to the frame of the trailer. In operation, the powered winch is energized, thereby winding the strap around the winch spool, thereby drawing the cart to the trailer load and up one side of the trailer load, across the top and down the other side at which time the tarp is fully placed around the load. The system is fully automated and is controlled from a moveable control panel that is operated by the driver. Multiple wheels of the cart are configured that the pairs of the wheels are in an overlapping relationship so that the cart can negotiate right angles, and other difficult angles and turns without becoming entangled at the apex of a given angle or turn. With this overlap, the frame of the cart does not become entangled with the load. Once the tarp has been placed over the load, the cart is disengaged from the tarp and moved to another location, if needed, to place another tarp around the load.
In general, in one aspect, the invention features a load wrapping system, including a tarp, an elongated pole located in an elongated pocket on a leading edge of the tarp, a cart having a winch system, the cart being adapted to connect to the pole and a strap having one end connected to the winch and the other end including a connector adapted to connect to a load surface.
In one implementation, the cart includes a frame having hooks adapted to connect to the pole.
In another implementation, the cart includes a set of rear wheels having a diameter and separated by a first distance and a set of front wheels having a diameter and separated a second distance.
In another implementation, the distance between an outer edge of the front wheels and an outer edge of the rear wheels is less then the sum of the diameter of one of the rear wheels and the diameter of one of the front wheels.
In another implementation, the frame includes a guide plate adjacent the winch system, the strap being adapted to fit through a slit on the guide plate.
In another implementation, the frame further comprises a first short cross bar connected adjacent the front wheels and adapted to re-direct the strap.
In still another implementation, the cart includes sled blades.
In another aspect, the invention features a load wrapping system, including a tarp, an elongated pole located within an elongated pocket on a leading edge of the tarp, a cart adapted to connect to the pole, a winch system connected to a side of a loading surface and a strap having one end connected to the winch and the other end connected to the cart.
In one implementation, the cart includes a frame having hooks adapted to connect to the pole.
In another implementation, the cart includes a set of rear wheels having a diameter and separated by a first distance and a set of front wheels having a diameter and separated by a second distance.
In another implementation, the distance between the outer edge of the front wheels and an outer edge of the rear wheels is less then the sum of the diameter of one of the rear wheels and the diameter of one of the front wheels.
In another implementation, the cart includes sled blades.
In still another aspect, the invention features a load wrapping kit, including a tarp, an elongated pole adapted to be inserted into an elongated pockets located on a leading edge of the tarp, a cart adapted to be connected to the pole, a winch system, a strap adapted to be connected to the cart and to the winch system and a power source adapted to energize the winch.
In one implementation, the winch system is adapted to be connected to the cart.
In another implementation, the winch is adapted to be connected to a side of a loading surface.
In yet another aspect, the invention features a load wrapping system, including a cart connected to a tarp and means for moving the cart over and around the load to wrap the tarp over the load.
In another aspect, the invention features method of wrapping a tarp around a load on a bed, including connecting the tarp to a cart, the cart being on one side of the bed, placing a strap over the load, connecting one end of the strap to the side of the bed opposite the side near the cart, connecting the other end of the strap to the cart and moving the cart over the load, thereby covering the load with the tarp.
In one implementation, the cart includes a winch system.
In another implementation, the bed includes a winch system.
In another aspect, the invention features a load wrapping cart, including a frame having a front end and a rear end, a front set of wheels connected to the front end, a rear set of wheels connected to the rear end, the front set of wheels being separated by a distance and the rear set of wheels being separated by a distance, a cross bar connected between the rear set of wheels, a cross bar connected between the front set of wheels, a guide plate connected to the frame and two inner short bars being substantially parallel to each other and connected to and substantially perpendicular to the cross bars and being.
One advantage of the invention is that the driver of the truck hauling the flatbed trailer does not need to get on top of the load to cover the load with a tarp.
Another advantage is that the system is fully automated.
Another advantage is that the cart can move over the load without becoming entangled.
Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing the preferred embodiment of the invention.
Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures, reference is made first to
The load wrapping system 100 typically includes a tarp 105 having a leading edge 110 that includes an elongated pocket 115 along a length of the leading edge 110. The tarp 105 is shown partially covering the load 520. The elongated pocket 115 typically is located along the entire length of the leading edge 110, although it is understood that the elongated pocket can be a longer or shorter length as needed. The leading edge 110 or the pocket 115 can include several holes 120 that are discussed further in the description below. An elongated rigid pole 125 that is located within the elongated pocket 115. The pole 125 can typically be slide into and out of the pocket 115 as needed. The pole 125 can be either one single long pole or several shorter poles that can be interconnected to form the longer pole 120.
The system 100 further includes an embodiment of a cart 200. The cart 200 typically includes a frame 205 having a winch system 210 and wheels 215 , which are discussed in further detail in the description below.
The system 100 farther includes a strap 130 having two ends. One end of the strap 130 is connected to the cart 200. The other end of the strap 130 is connected to the trailer 510. Typically, the strap is connected to a fixed point on the trailer 510 although in another implementation the strap 130 can be connected to a strap spool 135 on the trailer 510. The strap 130 is typically extended from the winch system 210 and threaded through one or more locations on the frame 205 that act as fulcrum points that alter the direction of the strap 130.
The frame 205 further includes cross bar 245 that generally connects between and generally perpendicular to the side bars 220 toward the approximate center of the cart 200. A portion of the angled bars 230 can be connected to the cross bar 245 for mechanical integrity. One end of two inner short bars 250 are connected generally perpendicular to the cross bar 245 and adjacent the winch system 210. The other end of the inner short bars 250 are connected to a first short cross bar 255. The first short cross bar 255 is typically connected to the lower portion of the inner short bars 250. A guide plate 260 having a slit 261 is connected between and angled with respect to the short inner bars 250. A second short bar 265 having a guide loop 266, which is generally connected to the first and second short cross bars 255, 265, is connected between and generally perpendicular to the two inner short bars 250. Two axle bars 270 are connected between the end of the side bars 220 (at the front end 207 of the frame 205) and the end of the inner short bars 255 (at the front end 207 of the frame 205). The axle bars 270 are generally located above, offset from and in a generally parallel orientation to the first short cross bar 255.
The wheels 215 include two front wheels 215a, 215b separated by a first distance D1, and two rear wheels 215c, 215d separated by a second distance D2. Each of the front set of wheels is connected between the respective front end of the side bar 220 and the inner short bar 250. Each of the front wheels 215a, 215b is connected to and rotates about the respective axle bar 270. The rear wheels 215c, 215d are each connected to opposite ends of the cross bar 245. All the wheels 215 have substantially the same diameter. The figure illustrates that the distance D1 between the front set of wheels 215a, 215b is less than the distance D2 between the rear set of wheels 215c, 215d. As described further below, the differential in the distances D1, D2 helps the cart 200 negotiate turns when used to wrap the tarp 105 around the load 520. A further discussion of the wheel 215 orientation is discussed below in the description with respect to FIG. 3.
In another embodiment, the cart 200 can include sled blades (not shown) instead of wheels 215.
As described above, the wheels 215 include two front wheels 215a, 215b separated by a first distance D1, and two rear wheels 215c, 215d separated by a second distance D2. Each of the front set of wheels is connected between the respective front end of the side bar 220 and the inner short bar 250. Each of the front wheels 215a, 215b is connected to and rotates about the respective axle bar 270. The rear wheels 215c, 215d are each connected to opposite ends of the cross bar 245. All the wheels 215 have substantially the same diameter. The figure illustrates that the distance D1 between the front set of wheels 215a, 215b is less than the distance D2 between the rear set of wheels 215c, 215d. As described further below, the differential in the distances D1, D2 helps the cart 200 negotiate turns when used to wrap the tarp 105 around the load 520.
The frame 205 further includes the cross bar 245 that generally connects between and generally perpendicular to the side bars 220 toward the approximate center of the cart 200 connecting the rear wheels 215c, 215d. The first short cross bar 255 is typically located below the axle bars 270, one of which is shown. The guide plate 260 having the slit 261 is angled with respect to the side bar 220. The second short bar 265 having the guide loop 266 is generally connected to the first and second short cross bars 255, 265. The axle bars 270 are generally located above, offset from and in a generally parallel orientation to the first short cross bar 255. From the winch wheel 216, the strap 130 can be directed through various locations on the frame 205. As shown in the figure, the strap 130 is directed through the slit 261 on the guide plate 260 and then through the guide loop 266 in between the first and second short cross bars 255, 265. The first cross bar 255 is used to re-direct the strap 130. Therefore, the strap 130 can be directed from the winch wheel 216 which is generally positioned high up on the cart 200, to a lower position on the cart 200, which is in turn closer to the load 520 that the tarp 105 is covering. In this way, both the tarp 105 and the strap 130 can generally be held close to the load 520 as the tarp 105 covers the load 520. By keeping this low profile of the tarp 105 and strap 130, various forces and torques on the cart 200 can be prevented. The strap 130 is shown as being wound from the lower part of the winch wheel 216. In another implementation, the strap 130 can be wound from the upper part of the winch wheel 216.
The following figures describe the load wrapping system 100 used to cover a load 520 on a flat bed trailer 510 during various stages of the covering process.
The cart 600 includes a frame 605 and wheels 615a, 615b, 615c, 615d. The frame 605 includes side bars 620 generally defining a rear end 606 and a front end 607 of the frame 605. The rear end 606 of the frame 605 includes one or more hooks 640 that are used to interconnect with the holes 120 on the tarp 105 (see FIG. 1). The hooks 640 typically connect through the holes 120 on the tarp 105 to connect to the pole 125 as mentioned above and discussed further in the description below.
The frame 605 further includes cross bar 645 that generally connects between and generally perpendicular to the side bars 620 toward the approximate center of the cart 600. One end of two inner short bars 650 are connected generally perpendicular to the cross bar 645. The other end of the inner short bars 650 are connected to a first short cross bar 655. The first short cross bar 655 is typically connected to the lower portion of the inner short bars 650. A guide plate 660 having a slit 661 is connected between and angled with respect to the short inner bars 650. A second short bar and a guide loop is not shown as with the cart 200 described above. In general, with the above cart 200, the strap 130 moves with respect to the cart 200. Therefore, further guidance devices such as second cross bar 265 and guide loop 266 are needed to keep the strap 130 from straying. However, with the cart 600, the strap 130 remains fixed with respect to the cart 600, with a hook or other suitable connecting device on the strap 130 being connected to the slit 661 as the fixed point. Therefore, guidance devices are not necessarily needed. However, in another implementation, a second cross bar and guide loop can be added similar to the second cross bar 265 and guide loop 266 described above.
Referring still to
The wheels 615 include two front wheels 615a, 615b separated by a first distance D1, and two rear wheels 615c, 615d separated by a second distance D2. Each of the front set of wheels is connected between the respective front end of the side bar 620 and the inner short bar 650. Each of the front wheels 615a, 615b is connected to and rotates about the respective axle bar 670. The rear wheels 615c, 615d are each connected to opposite ends of the cross bar 645. All the wheels 615 have substantially the same diameter. Similar to the cart 200 described above, the figure illustrates that the distance D1 between the front set of wheels 615a, 615b is less than the distance D2 between the rear set of wheels 615c, 615d. As described further below, the differential in the distances D1, D2 helps the cart 600 negotiate turns when used to wrap the tarp 105 around the load 520. A further discussion of the wheel 615 orientation is discussed below in the description with respect to FIG. 11.
As described above, the wheels 615 include two front wheels 615a, 615b separated by a first distance D1, and two rear wheels 615c, 615d separated by a second distance D2. Each of the front set of wheels is connected between the respective front end of the side bar 620 and the inner short bar 650. Each of the front wheels 615a, 615b is connected to and rotates about the respective axle bar 670. The rear wheels 615c, 615d are each connected to opposite ends of the cross bar 645. All the wheels 615 have substantially the same diameter. The figure illustrates that the distance D1 between the front set of wheels 615a, 615b is less than the distance D2 between the rear set of wheels 615c, 615d. Similar to as described above, the differential in the distances D1, D2 helps the cart 600 negotiate turns when used to wrap the tarp 105 around the load 520.
Although no partial cutaway side view of the embodiment of the cart 600 is shown, it is understood that the strap 130 generally connects to the slit 661 on the guide plate 660 and can be looped underneath the first short cross bar 655 or other portions of the frame 605 in order to guide the strap 130 similar to as shown above with respect to FIG. 4. Therefore, the strap 130 can be directed from the guide plate 660 which is generally positioned high up on the cart 600, to a lower position on the cart 600, which is in turn closer to the load 520 that the tarp 105 is covering. In this way, both the tarp 105 and the strap 130 can generally be held close to the load 520 as the tarp 105 covers the load 520. By keeping this low profile of the tarp 105 and strap 130, various forces and torques on the cart 600 can be prevented.
The winch system 700 generally includes a winch mount 711 that includes two upright and generally parallel side bars 712, a winch wheel 716 located between the side bars 712, a guide loop 713 and an axle 714 (see
The load wrapping systems described above can be adapted as a kit to retrofit or fit systems (such as all types of trucks) that require the automated wrapping system. The load wrapping kit can include the tarp 105, the elongated pole 125 adapted to be connected into the pocket 115 on the leading edge 110 of the tarp 105, the strap 130, the cart (200, 600) adapted to be connected to the pole 125 and the strap 130, the winch system (210, 700) connected to the strap 130 and a power source adapted to energize the winch system (210, 700). In one kit, the winch system 210 is adapted to be connected to the cart 200. In another kit, the winch system 700 is adapted to be connected to a side of a frame of a flatbed trailer 510.
In another embodiment, the load wrapping system can include a cart connected to a tarp and means for moving the cart over and around the load to wrap the tarp over a load.
The method of wrapping a tarp 105 around a load 520 on a load surface such as the bed 515 of a flat bed truck 500 generally includes connecting the tarp 105 to the cart (200, 600), the cart (200, 600) being on one side of the truck 500, placing the strap 130 over the load 520, connecting one end of the strap 130 to the side of the trailer 510 opposite the side near the cart (200, 600), either on the fixed point 511 or the winch system 700, connecting the other end of the strap to the cart (200, 600) and moving the cart (200, 600) over the load 520, thereby covering the load 520 with the tarp 105. The bed can be any surface in which the load 520 sits. The bed can be a truck bed as described above, flats on the ground or the ground itself. As the cart travels along strap 130, it is maintained against the load due to the interaction of bars 255 and 265 and strap 130. This interaction maintains the cart on the strap and against the load, thereby preventing the cart from falling off the load as it is in the vertical climb mode.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, various modifications may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and which are set forth in the appended claims.
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